This is great advice and a very motivational story! I agree that sometimes the stagnation of just sitting and writing can take more of a toll than we think it does, and even though I don't enjoy exercising it really is so helpful for hitting reset on a moment of feeling stuck.
Hi Soman! I have some questions for you. Since reading the School for Good and Evil, I could never find another book or series like it. I have two boxed sets, and it's on the top of my shelf. All my "About Me"s all have the School for Good and Evil. I've done school projects on it, and I've daydreamed about it. A lot. My time reading your series was the best time of my life.
Now, an as aspiring author myself, I feel very lost and confused. Sometimes, I don't feel so passionate about my story, and I get scared that nobody will like them. That it's already been done. And in this world of instant gratification, clichés, and similar ideas done again and again, it's even harder to delight the readers. And myself. So, I want to ask you, how do you feel about it? Do you find that a challenge too? If so, how do you overcome it?
The School for Good and Evil truly captured my heart with its originality and well-crafted story. However, I can't help but feel like it deserves even more recognition. What are your thoughts on the impact and potential of The School for Good and Evil reaching a wider audience?
Lastly, you always say that writing is like breathing for you. But what end results are you aiming to achieve. Why do you feel like writing is breathing? For what do you write for?
I can understand how you felt about being so overwhelmed with your work and forgetting about your actual physical health
I’m a xc runner/track star in her freshman year. But I’m an overachiever I go above and beyond I always felt so much better after running and doing my work. I’ve always taken the winter off to focus on school. I’ve noticed that I get restless and I struggle to get back into working out again after such a long break. But after reading your entry I realize that I need to take care of my grades but also my health and not bury myself in my schoolwork no matter how many AP classes. I really like your ideas of a “A creative athlete, who strove to be as strong in body as in mind” thank you Soman you’ve inspired me once again!
I do the same! I was working on a year-long R&R and could feel myself becoming too fixated on it, so I signed up for a half-Ironman for the same week I planned to finish the revision! Having something else to fixate on (and keep me healthy) got me enjoying both, instead of struggling with one
This was so timely! My goal for this year is to find that sustainable practice. I'm not sure what it is yet...crossfit looks so intimidating...but just something that gets me in my body more. And your thoughts about process--also so timely! I have an adult novel that has been in my head for a long time but I'm still working on that process of figuring out how it wants to come out on the page, and this idea of connecting that to phyiscality is kind of mindblowing. Very cool!
I'm in university. That means I don't have time to exist (that's the dramatic way to put it). I have this cycle that happens to me. I have a big assignment coming up, so I get stressed because I have so little time, I struggle to work when I'm focused on not having enough time, so I procrastinate, so I have less time, get more stressed, and so on. It's impossible to have a daily routine because I have different class schedules every day, so instead I have weekly schedules. I go to the gym with my friend once a week (better than nothing) and other day I walk on the treadmill at home for an hour and a half (if I have the time). I try not to let myself drown in guilt when I don't get my work done (I often fail at this). It isn't perfect but I'm trying. Life can't always be planned out, but I can set myself up for success. I can't be creative or do school work if I'm failing to care for my mental and physical health. No, I don't always get everything I planned done. Yes, I still beat myself up when that happens. But I try to remind myself that school is temporary. I need to pass to get my degree. My health will come with me after. How am I going to set myself up for life after school?
Wow, that was uplifting (no pun intended)! I have no secrets to share but am fascinated, not only by your writing process, but also fitness. A fitness routine is lacking in my life and I need it. I look forward to your weekly diary entries as they are motivational.
Thank you for sharing! Needed to read this today. It’s all connected ‼️
This is great advice and a very motivational story! I agree that sometimes the stagnation of just sitting and writing can take more of a toll than we think it does, and even though I don't enjoy exercising it really is so helpful for hitting reset on a moment of feeling stuck.
In the end, the writing will feel easier because the exercise is harder!!!
I saw myself in your history.
As a writer, I left my helthy behind and I destroied my body to work more, to be more creative.
I was weak too.
Capitalism kill our bodies for more production, for more work and work and work.
It's a impossible number.
always.
thanks to be so honest with us.
I think it's all a crime we commit when we're younger... But luckily wisdom comes...
Hi Soman! I have some questions for you. Since reading the School for Good and Evil, I could never find another book or series like it. I have two boxed sets, and it's on the top of my shelf. All my "About Me"s all have the School for Good and Evil. I've done school projects on it, and I've daydreamed about it. A lot. My time reading your series was the best time of my life.
Now, an as aspiring author myself, I feel very lost and confused. Sometimes, I don't feel so passionate about my story, and I get scared that nobody will like them. That it's already been done. And in this world of instant gratification, clichés, and similar ideas done again and again, it's even harder to delight the readers. And myself. So, I want to ask you, how do you feel about it? Do you find that a challenge too? If so, how do you overcome it?
The School for Good and Evil truly captured my heart with its originality and well-crafted story. However, I can't help but feel like it deserves even more recognition. What are your thoughts on the impact and potential of The School for Good and Evil reaching a wider audience?
Lastly, you always say that writing is like breathing for you. But what end results are you aiming to achieve. Why do you feel like writing is breathing? For what do you write for?
I can understand how you felt about being so overwhelmed with your work and forgetting about your actual physical health
I’m a xc runner/track star in her freshman year. But I’m an overachiever I go above and beyond I always felt so much better after running and doing my work. I’ve always taken the winter off to focus on school. I’ve noticed that I get restless and I struggle to get back into working out again after such a long break. But after reading your entry I realize that I need to take care of my grades but also my health and not bury myself in my schoolwork no matter how many AP classes. I really like your ideas of a “A creative athlete, who strove to be as strong in body as in mind” thank you Soman you’ve inspired me once again!
If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be exercise more, study less!
I do the same! I was working on a year-long R&R and could feel myself becoming too fixated on it, so I signed up for a half-Ironman for the same week I planned to finish the revision! Having something else to fixate on (and keep me healthy) got me enjoying both, instead of struggling with one
That combo of physical and creative goals is the secret to everything.
This was so timely! My goal for this year is to find that sustainable practice. I'm not sure what it is yet...crossfit looks so intimidating...but just something that gets me in my body more. And your thoughts about process--also so timely! I have an adult novel that has been in my head for a long time but I'm still working on that process of figuring out how it wants to come out on the page, and this idea of connecting that to phyiscality is kind of mindblowing. Very cool!
I tried so many things before I found Crossfit, and I think it's a lot like dating. You just fumble around until you find the thing that lasts...
I'm in university. That means I don't have time to exist (that's the dramatic way to put it). I have this cycle that happens to me. I have a big assignment coming up, so I get stressed because I have so little time, I struggle to work when I'm focused on not having enough time, so I procrastinate, so I have less time, get more stressed, and so on. It's impossible to have a daily routine because I have different class schedules every day, so instead I have weekly schedules. I go to the gym with my friend once a week (better than nothing) and other day I walk on the treadmill at home for an hour and a half (if I have the time). I try not to let myself drown in guilt when I don't get my work done (I often fail at this). It isn't perfect but I'm trying. Life can't always be planned out, but I can set myself up for success. I can't be creative or do school work if I'm failing to care for my mental and physical health. No, I don't always get everything I planned done. Yes, I still beat myself up when that happens. But I try to remind myself that school is temporary. I need to pass to get my degree. My health will come with me after. How am I going to set myself up for life after school?
I still think health always comes first. I usually will prioritize my workout over writing, even if that sounds counterintuitive.
Does your new book have more futuristic elements to it than SGE? Also, I'm very excited to see how it turns out. 👀
You'll seeeeeeeeee
Wow, that was uplifting (no pun intended)! I have no secrets to share but am fascinated, not only by your writing process, but also fitness. A fitness routine is lacking in my life and I need it. I look forward to your weekly diary entries as they are motivational.
Thank you so much!!